English rugby union system

League system for the sport of Rugby Union in England

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Men's Rugby union in England consists of 106 leagues, which includes professional leagues at the highest level, down to amateur regional leagues. Promotion and relegation are in place throughout the system.

Women's Rugby union in England consists of 52 leagues,[1] which includes a national semi-professional league at the highest level, down to amateur regional leagues. Promotion and relegation are in place throughout the system, with the exception of Premiership Women's Rugby.[2]

## History

[edit]

Main article: History of the English rugby union system

Historically, there were no leagues allowed as these were seen as a sign of professionalism. In the 1970s the RFU allowed the creation of regional merit leagues with the most significant ones being the North, Midlands, South West and London merit leagues. In 1984 the RFU approved the creation of two national merit tables where clubs had to play a minimum of eight games against the clubs in their division. 1985 saw the creation of a third national merit league. In 1987 this was formed into a true national league system.

### Previous restructures

[edit]

The format and competitiveness of the leagues has changed greatly since the leagues were first formed[3] and a widespread and global restructuring of the leagues was announced in November 2008, for implementation from the 2009–10 season. Under this new structure, the top league remained the 12-team Gallagher Premiership. The second tier league was rebranded and restructured as the RFU Championship which replaced the old National Division One. This league also had 12 teams, and like the Premiership, is professional. Beneath the two professional leagues, the National Leagues were restructured to include a new 16 team National League 1, 16 team National League 2 South and 16 team National League 2 North. The four top regional leagues became part of National League 3 at level five.

For the 2017-18 season, the National League 3 leagues were renamed to have Premier as part of their title in order to make a distinction between regional rugby union and the National Leagues above.[4] Other changes that season saw London 3 North East be replaced by two new leagues - London 3 Eastern Counties and London 3 Essex \- with teams transferred depending on location.

### Recent restructures

[edit]

#### Community game

[edit]

In 2020, it was announced that a new league structure would be implemented in the community game from 2022–23. The new structure which was partly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be reviewed every three years and saw the following changes:[5]

* The size of leagues at levels 3 and 4 are capped at 14 teams (down from 16).
* The size of leagues at level 5 and below are capped at 12 teams (down from 14).
* Level 4 will consist of three leagues (up from 2).
* Level 5 will consist of six leagues (up from 4).
* Level 6 will consist of twelve leagues (up from 8).
* A shortened season and protected breaks over Christmas and at specified other times for player welfare.
* Leagues largely regional based to reduce travel.
* An optional cup competition introduced for level 5 and below.

Below level 6 leagues sizes will depend on number of teams and geographical location.[6]

#### Professional game

[edit]

In February 2021, the RFU approved a moratorium on relegation from both the Premiership and Championship in response to uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also confirmed that league structure and minimum standards criteria for promotion were being reviewed.[7] The moratorium only covered relegation and did not include promotion from the Championship meaning the Premiership expanded to 13 teams with the Championship reduced to 11 in 2021–22 with the promotion of Saracens.

In June 2021, as part of the wider review the moratorium was extended by a further two years in the Premiership and also included relegation from the Championship in 2021–22 and promotion from the Championship following the 2022–23 season. This means the Premiership may be further expanded to 14 teams in 2022–23 and the Championship may be reduced to 10.[8] A summary of changes is outlines below:

* Premiership expanded to 13 teams in 2021–22; Championship reduced to 11
* Premiership may expand to 14 teams in 2022–23; Championship may reduce to 10. No team relegated from Premiership or promoted from Championship
* Introduction of a play-off between the bottom placed team in Premiership and top placed team in Championship in 2023–24 with the winner playing in the Premiership the following season.

Promotion remains subject to minimum standards which have been reviewed and include several factors.

## Level 1: Premiership Rugby

[edit]

Premiership Rugby is the top level league in England, containing the best 10 professional clubs. The premiership still includes strict ground criteria and a salary cap that must be met by all participants. Promotion from the Championship remains (subject to eligibility), however the bottom side have not been relegated since the end of the 2019–20 season. The club seeking promotion must meet the minimum standards criteria. The champion is the top team in the RFU Championship after the league season. A play-off system was previously in place to decide which team were crowned champions. It was hoped this would bring to an end a select number of clubs bouncing between the leagues. (For example, each season between 2005–06 and 2008–09 saw the club relegated to National Division One earning promotion to the Premiership the following season, and also either the promotion or relegation of Leeds Carnegie). Debate still continues over the question of promotion and relegation, but with the strict criteria fears are reduced. From 2023–24, the last placed team from the Premiership will playoff against the Championship winner (subject to promotion eligibility) for a place in the following season's Premiership.

## Level 2: RFU Championship

[edit]

The new RFU Championship was formed in 2009–10 to provide a second tier of professional competition. The former National Division One was decreased from 16 clubs to 12 to accommodate the new fixture structure. For the first three seasons this included:

* a first phase of 22 regular season games
* for the top eight teams, a second group phase, with the teams split into two groups; the top two teams in each group advanced to promotion play-offs, with the winner earning promotion provided they met Premiership entry standards
* for the bottom four teams, a separate group phase, without a play-off, to determine the relegation place
* participation in a new British and Irish Cup with Irish, Scottish and Welsh clubs
* a minimum of 32 games per season

Starting with the 2012–13 season, the second group stage was discontinued. The top four teams at the end of the home-and-away season entered play-offs to determine the league champion, which earned promotion providing Premiership entry standards were met. The bottom team at the end of home-and-away season was relegated to, and replaced by the champions of, the third tier National League 1.

From 2017–18 through to 2019–20 and from 2021–22, the championship play-off was eliminated. The league-season champions earned automatic promotion (again, assuming that they meet Premiership standards). Relegation criteria did not change. However, there was a moratorium placed on relegation in both 2020–21 and 2021–22. From 2023–24 the winner (subject to eligibility) will contest a playoff with the bottom placed team in the Premiership for a place in the next season's Premiership.

## Levels 3-4: National Leagues

[edit]

The new National League structure includes:

### Level 3: National League 1

[edit]

The National League 1 was decreased from 16 to 14 teams. This resulted in a 26-game season on a home and away basis. The champions are promoted to the level 2 RFU Championship, and the bottom three sides are relegated to the level 4 National League 2 East, National League 2 West or National League 2 North depending on geographical location.

### Level 4: National League 2 East, National League 2 West and National League 2 North

[edit]

The fourth tier is increased to three leagues of 14 teams each. The three league champions are promoted, with the bottom two in each league relegated to their respective regional division.

## Regional leagues

[edit]

With the restructuring, levels 5–11 became the new regional system. There are now 6 Regional 1 leagues, which are connected to the national leagues by promotion and relegation.

## The system

[edit]

The table below shows the current structure of the system. For each division, its official name, sponsorship name (which differs from its historic name) and number of clubs is given. At levels 1–3, each division promotes to the national division(s) that lie directly above it and relegates to the national division(s) that lie directly below it. Below that level, clubs relegate to the nearest local league.[9]

Level

League(s)/Division(s)

* v
* t
* e

|

Prem Rugby
10 clubs

Champ Rugby
14 clubs

National League 1
14 clubs

National League 2 North
14 clubs

National League 2 East
14 clubs

National League 2 West
14 clubs

Regional 1 North East
12 clubs

Regional 1 North West
12 clubs

Regional 1 South East
12 clubs

Regional 1 South Central
12 clubs

Regional 1 South West
12 clubs

Regional 1 Midlands
12 clubs

Regional 2 North
12 clubs

Regional 2 North East
12 clubs

Regional 2 North West
12 clubs

Regional 2 Anglia
12 clubs

Regional 2 South East
12 clubs

Regional 2 South Central
12 clubs

Regional 2 Thames
12 clubs

Regional 2 Severn
12 clubs

Regional 2 South West
12 clubs

Regional 2 Midlands West
12 clubs

Regional 2 Midlands North
12 clubs

Regional 2 Midlands East
12 clubs

Counties 1 Cumbria
12 clubs

Counties 1 Durham & Northumberland
12 clubs

Counties 1 Yorkshire
12 clubs

Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire
12 clubs

Counties 1 Eastern Counties
12 clubs

Counties 1 Essex
12 clubs

Counties 1 Kent
12 clubs

Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex
12 clubs

Counties 1 Hampshire
12 clubs

Counties 1 Hertfordshire
10 clubs

Counties 1 Middlesex
10 clubs

Counties 1 Southern North
12 clubs

Counties 1 Southern South
12 clubs

Counties 1 Western West
12 clubs

Counties 1 Western North
12 clubs

Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
12 clubs

Counties 1 Midlands West (North)
12 clubs

Counties 1 Midlands East (North)
12 clubs

Counties 1 Midlands East (South)
12 clubs

Counties 2 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire
Counties 2 Durham & Northumberland
Counties 2 Yorkshire

Counties 2 Eastern Counties
Counties 2 Essex
Counties 2 Kent
Counties 2 Hampshire
Counties 2 Hertfordshire
Counties 2 Middlesex
Counties 2 Surrey
Counties 2 Sussex

Counties 2 Cornwall
Counties 2 Devon
Counties 2 Gloucestershire
Counties 2 Somerset
Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon West
Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon East
Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North
Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South

Counties 2 Midlands West (West)
Counties 2 Midlands West (East)
Counties 2 Midlands East (North)
Counties 2 Midlands East (South)

Counties 3 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire
Counties 3 Durham & Northumberland
Counties 3 Yorkshire

Counties 3 Kent
Counties 3 Hampshire
Counties 3 Hertfordshire
Counties 3 Surrey

Counties 3 Cornwall
Counties 3 Devon North & East
Counties 3 Devon South & West
Counties 3 Gloucestershire North
Counties 3 Gloucestershire South
Counties 3 Somerset North
Counties 3 Somerset South
Counties 3 Berks/Bucks & Oxon North
Counties 3 Berks/Bucks & Oxon South
Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts North
Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts Central
Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South

Counties 3 Midlands West (North)
Counties 3 Midlands West (South)
Counties 3 Midlands West (East)
Counties 3 Midlands East (North West)
Counties 3 Midlands East (North East)
Counties 3 Midlands East (South North)
Counties 3 Midlands East (South South)

Counties 4 Yorkshire

Counties 4 Kent
Counties 4 Hampshire
Counties 4 Surrey

Counties 4 Gloucestershire North
Counties 4 Gloucestershire South
Counties 4 Somerset North
Counties 4 Somerset South
Counties 4 Berks/Bucks & Oxon North
Counties 4 Berks/Bucks & Oxon South

Counties 4 Midlands West (North)
Counties 4 Midlands West (South)
Counties 4 Midlands West (East)
Counties 4 Midlands East (North West)
Counties 4 Midlands East (North East)

n/a

Counties 5 Kent
Counties 5 Surrey

n/a

n/a

## See also

[edit]

* Rugby union in England

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "RFU". RFU League Tables. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
2. ^ "RFU". England Rugby. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
3. ^ Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990-91. Windsor: Burlington Publishing Co Ltd.
4. ^ "Renaming of RFU National 3 Leagues". Oxfordshire RFU. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
5. ^ "RFU Approve Future Competition Structure for 2022-23". NCA Rugby. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
6. ^ "Adult Male Future Competitions Structure from Season 2022-23". www.englandrugby.com. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
7. ^ "RFU Council approve moratorium on relegation from Gallagher Premiership Rugby for 2020-21 season and a review of minimum standards for future seasons". Premiership Rugby. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
8. ^ "RFU Council Vote in Favour of COVID Recovery Plan". www.englandrugby.com. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
9. ^ "RFU".

## External links

[edit]

* http://www.scrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/86076.html (Explains new structure)
* https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/final-league-positions-for-community-game-confirmed-qazxsw (shows Level 2-5 Women's structure)

* v
* t
* e

Rugby union in England

Governing body|

* Rugby Football Union
* Rugby Football Union for Women (merged into the RFU)

National teams|

| Men's|

* England
* England A
* 7's
* U-21
* U-20
* U-18
* British & Irish Lions
* England Counties XV

|

Women's|

* Women's
* 7's

International competitions|

| Men's|

* World Cup
* Six Nations
* Rugby World Cup Sevens
* Sevens World Series
* Sevens Grand Prix Series
* Commonwealth Games

|

Women's|

* World Cup
* Six Nations
* World Series Sevens

Competition divisions|

| Men's|

* Premiership
* Champ Rugby
* National Leagues
* London and SE Division
* Northern Division
* Midland Division
* South West Division
* United Hospitals Cup

|

Women's|

* Premiership Women's Rugby

European competitions|

* European Rugby Champions Cup
* European Rugby Challenge Cup

National competitions|

* Premiership Rugby
* Premiership Cup
* Champ Rugby
* National League 1
* National League 2 East
* National League 2 North
* National League 2 West
* RFU Intermediate Cup
* RFU Senior Vase
* RFU Junior Vase
* Premiership Rugby Sevens Series
* Women's Premiership
* Premier 15s

London and South East
competitions|

* Regional 1 South East
* Regional 1 South Central
* Regional 2 Anglia
* Regional 2 South Central
* Regional 2 South East
* Regional 2 Thames
* London 1 North
* London 2 North East
* London 2 North West
* London 2 South East
* London 2 South West
* London 3 North West
* London 3 South East
* London 3 South West
* Counties 2 Eastern Counties
* London 3 Essex
* Eastern Counties 1
* Eastern Counties 2
* Eastern Counties 3
* Counties 2 Essex
* Counties 2 Hampshire
* Counties 3 Hampshire
* Counties 4 Hampshire
* Hampshire Cups
* Counties 1 Herts/Middlesex
* Counties 1 Middlesex
* Counties 2 Middlesex
* Herts/Middlesex 2
* Hertfordshire Cups
* Middlesex Cups
* Counties 3 Kent
* Counties 4 Kent
* Counties 5 Kent
* Kent Cups
* Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex
* Counties 2 Surrey
* Counties 3 Surrey
* Counties 4 Surrey
* Counties 5 Surrey
* Surrey Cups
* Counties 2 Sussex
* Sussex 1
* Sussex Cups

Midland competitions|

* Regional 1 Midlands
* Regional 2 North Midlands
* Regional 2 West Midlands
* Regional 2 East Midlands
* Counties 1 Midlands West (North)
* Counties 1 Midlands West (South)
* Midlands 2 East (North)
* Midlands 2 East (South)
* Midlands 3 West (North)
* Midlands 3 West (South)
* Midlands 3 East (North)
* Midlands 3 East (South)
* Midlands 4 West (North)
* Midlands 4 West (South)
* Midlands 4 East (North)
* Midlands 4 East (South)
* Midlands 5 West (South)
* Leicestershire Cups
* North Midlands Cups
* Staffordshire Cups
* Warwickshire Cups

Northern competitions|

* Regional 1 North East
* Regional 1 North West
* Regional 2 North
* Regional 2 North East
* Regional 2 North West
* North 1 East
* North 1 West
* North 2 West
* Counties 1 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire
* Lancs/Cheshire 1
* Lancs/Cheshire 2
* Cheshire Cups
* Lancashire Cups
* Counties 1 Cumbria
* Cumbria Cups
* Counties 1 Durham & Northumberland
* Counties 2 Durham & Northumberland
* Counties 3 Durham & Northumberland
* Durham Cups
* Northumberland Cups
* Counties 1 Yorkshire
* Counties 2 Yorkshire
* Counties 3 Yorkshire
* Counties 4 Yorkshire
* Yorkshire Cups

South West competitions|

* Regional 1 South West
* Regional 2 Severn
* Regional 2 South West
* Counties 1 Southern North
* Counties 1 Southern South
* Counties 1 Western North
* Counties 1 Western West
* Counties 2 Cornwall
* Counties 3 Cornwall
* Cornwall Cups
* Counties 2 Devon
* Counties 3 Devon East
* Counties 3 Devon West
* Devon Cups
* Counties 2 Gloucestershire
* Counties 3 Gloucestershire
* Gloucester 2 North
* Gloucester 2 South
* Gloucestershire Cups
* Counties 2 Somerset
* Counties 3 Somerset
* Counties 4 Somerset North
* Counties 4 Somerset South
* Somerset 3 North
* Somerset 3 South
* Somerset Cups
* Counties 2 Berks/Bucks & Oxon
* Counties 3 Berks/Bucks & Oxon
* Counties 4 Berks/Bucks & Oxon
* Oxfordshire Cups
* Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts South
* Counties 2 Dorset & Wilts North
* Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts North
* Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts South
* Dorset & Wilts 3 North

County competitions|

* Division 1
* Division 2
* Division 3

Discontinued competitions|

* Anglo-Welsh Cup
* Championship Cup
* Cornwall/Devon League
* Divisional Championship
* National League 2 South
* North Premier
* RFU Knockout Cup
* South West 1 East

Related articles|

* International players
* Clubs
* Churchill Cup
* Calcutta Cup
* Millennium Trophy
* Ella-Mobbs Trophy
* Hillary Shield

Other|

* English rugby union system
* Timeline of rugby union on UK television

* v
* t
* e

League systems in sport

* League system
* Sports league
* Professional sports league organization
* Division (sport)
* Promotion and relegation
* Closed league
* Semi-closed league

American football|

* Germany

Association
football|

| AFC|

* Afghanistan
* Australia
* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* China
* East Timor
* Guam
* Hong Kong
* India
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Japan
* Jordan
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* Nepal
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* Pakistan
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* Saudi Arabia
* Singapore
* Taiwan
* Tajikistan
* Thailand
* Turkmenistan
* United Arab Emirates
* Vietnam

|

CAF|

* Algeria
* Burkina Faso
* Burundi
* Cameroon
* Cape Verde
* Central African Republic
* Comoros
* Djibouti
* Egypt
* Equatorial Guinea
* Ghana
* Guinea-Bissau
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* Kenya
* Madagascar
* Mauritius
* Morocco
* Mozambique
* Nigeria
* Réunion
* São Tomé and Príncipe
* Seychelles
* Somalia
* South Africa
* Tunisia

CONCACAF|

* Anguilla
* Antigua and Barbuda
* Aruba
* Bahamas
* Barbados
* Belize
* Bermuda
* Bonaire
* British Virgin Islands
* Canada
* Cayman Islands
* Costa Rica
* Cuba
* Curaçao
* Dominican Republic
* El Salvador
* French Guiana
* Guadeloupe
* Guatemala
* Haiti
* Honduras
* Jamaica
* Martinique
* Mexico
* Montserrat
* Nicaragua
* Panama
* Puerto Rico
* Saint Kitts and Nevis
* Saint Martin
* Sint Maarten
* Trinidad and Tobago
* Turks and Caicos Islands
* United States
* United States Virgin Islands

CONMEBOL|

* Argentina
* Bolivia
* Brazil
* Chile
* Colombia
* Ecuador
* Paraguay
* Peru
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

OFC|

* French Polynesia
* New Caledonia
* New Zealand
* Papua New Guinea
* Tuvalu

UEFA|

* Albania
* Andorra
* Armenia
* Austria
* Azerbaijan
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Bulgaria
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* England (women's)
* Estonia
* Faroe Islands
* Finland
* France
* Georgia
* Germany (women's)
* Gibraltar
* Greece
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Ireland
* Israel
* Italy
* Kazakhstan
* Kosovo
* Latvia
* Liechtenstein
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* Malta
* Moldova
* Montenegro
* Netherlands
* North Macedonia
* Northern Ireland
* Norway
* Poland
* Portugal
* Romania
* Russia
* San Marino
* Scotland
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Turkey (women's)
* Ukraine
* Wales

Basketball|

| Continental|

* Europe
* South America

|

National|

* France
* Germany
* Greece
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Italy
* Japan
* Poland
* Russia
* Serbia
* Spain
* Turkey

Handball|

* Denmark
* Hungary

Ice hockey|

* United States

Rugby league|

* Great Britain
* France

Rugby union|

* England
* France
* Ireland
* New Zealand
* Scotland
* Wales

Shinty|

* Scotland

Sumo|

* Japan

Tennis|

* Davis Cup
* Billie Jean King Cup

Water polo|

* Hungary

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